Get Involved
Ready To Make A Difference?
Joining or volunteering with the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) can be a rewarding way to contribute to the organization’s mission and support its efforts to improve the lives of those affected by obesity.
By joining ASMBS, individuals can become part of a community of professionals who share their commitment to advancing research, education, and advocacy in the field of metabolic and bariatric surgery. Volunteering with ASMBS can provide opportunities to make a direct impact through initiatives such as patient support programs, public awareness campaigns, and advocacy efforts.
Additionally, volunteering with ASMBS can help individuals develop new skills, build their professional network, and gain a sense of fulfillment from contributing to a meaningful cause.
Advocate With Us!
There is a need for advocacy at multiple levels. Healthcare providers advocate for patients on almost a daily basis when they petition insurance companies to provide coverage for medications, services, diagnostic test and referrals to specialist.
Healthcare providers can also communicate with and educate regulatory and administrative bodies and personnel – institutionally, locally as well as at state and national levels to bring actions about that promote health and access to health care for at risk populations.
In 2013, AMA recognized obesity as a disease state with multiple pathophysiological aspects requiring a range of interventions to advance obesity treatment.
In 2017, AMA encourages the use of person-first language (patients with obesity, patients affected by obesity) in all discussions, resolutions and reports regarding obesity.
Coalition Efforts
OCC Advocacy Report
Article Category: Advocacy Report | American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (asmbs.org)
In 2011, The Obesity Society (TOS), American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), Obesity Action Coalition (OAC), and the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) joined forces with the Academy of Nutrition and Diabetes (AND) in founding the Obesity Care Continuum (OCC). With a combined membership of over 150.000 healthcare professionals, researchers, educators, and patient advocates, the OCC is dedicated to promoting access to, and coverage of the continuum of care surrounding the treatment for obesity.
Despite making inroads on expanding obesity treatment coverage, OCC member groups recognized that they needed additional partners and a broader array of constituencies if they were going to have a profound impact on securing patient access to and coverage of comprehensive obesity care. In 2016, the OCC joined with the Endocrine Society, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologist and Nova Nordisk in founding the Obesity Care Advocacy Network (OCAN).
Today OCAN has grown to more than 20 organization-strong coalition whose mission is to unite and align key obesity stakeholders – and the larger obesity community – around key education, policy and legislative efforts in order to elevate obesity on the national level.
The 2021 Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA) has been reintroduced into the 117th Congress. If passed, TROA will (1) Expand Medicare benefits for intensive behavioral counseling through community-based programs and additional types of healthcare providers (2) Expand coverage of FDA-approved prescription drugs for chronic weight management. Click here to urge your legislators to cosponsor and support the final passage of TROA!
Take action to improve access to care and influence decision makers:
Members of the OMA advocacy committee participate in advocacy days, where representatives from the Obesity Medicine Association and other OCC organizations visit Capitol Hill in Washington D.C., to meet with legislators in the House and Senate. The purpose is to raise awareness and encourage support from legislators on obesity initiatives
All surgeons are encouraged to become more involved in advocacy. Regularly visit the advocacy web pages to become educated about health policy priorities, obtain helpful tools and resources, and take action on legislative issues of importance to surgeons and surgical patients.
ACS Bulletin Advocacy Brief is a biweekly newsletter that covers ACS’ efforts to advocate on the Hill.
Bulletin Advocacy Brief (facs.org)
SurgeonsVoice Advocacy Guide:
ASMBS
Governor
Ron DeSantis (R)
Office of Governor Ron DeSantis
State of Florida
The Capital
400 S. Monroe St.
Tallahassee, Fl 32399-0001
(850) 717-9337
Insurance Commissioner
Jimmy Patronis
Office of Insurance Regulation
200 E. Gaines Street
Tallahassee, Fl 32399-0305
(877) 693-5236
Primary Advocate Targets
Secondary Legislation Targets
Senate Committee on Health Policy
Chair: Senator Colleen Burton
Vice Chair: Senator Jason Brodeur
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1100
(850) 487-5824
Senate VOIP 5824
House Health & Human Services
Chair: Representative Randy Fine
Vice Chair: Representative Jenna Persons-Mulicka
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1300
(850) 717-4840
State Medical Board
Advocating before the State Medical Board
Framing Your Arguments
So now that you have a meeting set up with a policymaker, what do you say? Well, it depends on your audience. For example, if you’re meeting with a state legislator, you’ll likely be talking about a state House or Senate bill. If you’re sitting down with a Governor or State Insurance Commissioner, your focus is going to be on highlighting gaps in obesity treatment coverage and the societal and economic benefits of providing coverage for obesity treatment services.
For example, any draft talking points before a state policymaker could start with…
As an obesity medicine obesity specialist, I’m here today to ask you to support:
• House/Senate Bill XXX, which would provide coverage for anti-obesity medications (AOMs)
• access to care for intensive behavioral therapy and AOMs under the state employee health plan
• efforts to break down bias and hurdles to obesity care
Here are six ways foundations can support policy advocacy before and after the legislative process:
- Establish A Vision
- Conduct Research
- Educate Others
- Support Advocacy Organizations
- Support Implementation
- Legal Advocacy
Additional Resources
To further support your advocacy for the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), you can access a variety of additional resources which provide valuable insights and tools to effectively promote the mission and initiatives of the ASMBS.
If you have any questions, comments or concerns please take a second and contact us via our easy form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
